Optimizing Fruit Yield, Size, and Quality Attributes in 'Malase Torshe Saveh' Pomegranate Through Hand Thinning

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatumL.) is a fruit of the "old world" that has gained considerable popularity in many countries worldwide due to its health benefits. The competitive nature of fruit marketing mandates improving the quality of this fruit, while keeping yield at an optimum level. To pursue this objective, the effects of severity of hand-thinning on fruit size and quality attributes of 'Malase Torshe Saveh' pomegranate were studied during two consecutive seasons. In this study, 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% hand thinning of fruit were applied when fruitlet diameter was about 30 mm. Mean fruit weight, length, diameter and volume increased with increased severity of thinning. Fruit from trees thinned at 20 and 30%, had significantly higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) compared to those from un-thinned control trees and fruit from trees thinned at 30 and 40% had significantly higher SSC/titratable acidity ratio compared to 20% thinned trees. Fruit from 40% hand thinning trees had significantly higher color hue factor (a*) than control fruit. Overall, thinning increased commercial value and marketability by increasing fruit quality and size.